Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Digital Technology Among Diploma in Agriculture Students: A Cross Sectional Study of Surkhet District

Abstract

This study presents an assessment of knowledge, practices, and attitudes of diploma￾level agriculture students in Surkhet District, about digital technology. This study aims to explore the current status of digital technology usage among diploma level agriculture students. According to the Digital Nepal Framework 2019, empowering youth through digital platforms is a key strategy to bridge the science and technology for all sectors. Quantitative Research methodology, including two research question was applied in this study. A total of 163 students participated in data collection from both the Diploma in Plant Science and Animal Science. The curriculum and related literature were reviewed to identify potential digital tools that diploma-level agriculture students should be familiar with Five key digital tools that were identified include a) MS Office, b) basic internet platforms such as social media apps, c) digital marketing tools, d) digital agriculture applications for extension services, and e) cyber security awareness. A structured questionnaire was developed for the assessment of digital technology among students. A scale was also constructed to assess student’s digital tools Knowledge and Practices (0–3 points as per using digital tool), and attitudes were measured by using a Likert scale marked from 1 to 5 points. Data were collected using a form and further analyzed with SPSS software using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics such as t-test, ANOVA. For Data Reliability. The findings of this study provided insights into the current status of adoption of digital tools and technology by students enrolled in diploma in agriculture program and identified the existing gaps and some areas for improvement in curriculum. The major findings from this study are student's primary source of digital knowledge is from their school, and some digital tool knowledge was transferred to students through their friends. However, Student's overall attitude toward adopting digital technology in agriculture is highly positive. This study also found that the relationship between student’s attitudes toward digital technology and demographic profiles is not statistically significant with each other, but there is a significant relationship between student’s attitudes toward digital technology and use of digital tools, access to smartphones, use agricultural apps, and good knowledge in using MS Office tools. Findings from this study suggest that there is a high need for curriculum update in diploma in agriculture program by integrating mobile based agriculture technologies. Lastly, prioritizing practical sessions to use digital technology in the study will be more effective for students. This study also aligns with the goals of the Digital Nepal Framework 2019 and the Agriculture Development Strategy (ADS, 2015- 2035), which may contribute to providing better extension services for farmers in Nepal.